Alarm control for clocks



May l 1934- J. E. cooGAN 1,957,390

ALARM CONTROL FOR CLOCKS Filed Sept. 23. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTOHNEYS May l, 1934- J. E. cooGAN 1,957,390

ALARM CONTROL FOR CLOCKS Filed Sept. 23, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwuvntozPatented May l, 1934 PATENT OFFICE ALARM CONTROL FOB CLOCKS JolmE.Coogan, Carbondale, Pa. Application September 23, 1931, Serial N0.564,630

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in alarm systems and moreparticularly to an improved means of preventing tampering with alarmclocks and other like devices.

In its preferred embodiments the invention comprehends generally the useof various types of alarm clocks for rousing sleepers at a predeterminedhour, which alarm clocks are associated or connected with a bed in sucha manner that, while the bed is occupied, the alarm mechanism will be inoperative or ringing condition, while when the bed is unoccupied thealarm mechanism will be disconnected. The improvements involve suitableelectrical and/or mechanical connections between the bed and th'e clockwhereby the alarm mechanism proper is, as indicated above, renderedoperative when the bed is occupied and rendered inoperative when the bedis unoccupied. In addition, the invention Fig. 7 is a front view of thearrangement shown in Fig. 6.

Referring now to Fig. l, there is indicated diagrammatically an alarmclock 10 of conventional construction having a dial 11, bezel 12, backplate 13, casing 14, and a cover 15, hingedly mounted on an extension 16of the casing 14 by any suitable means, such as hinge 17, situated atthe top of the clock. The casing 14 may be extended downwardly asindicated at 7 to provide space for bell transformers and the like,indicated generally at 18, the transformer compartment including a topplate 19 which also serves as the bottom of the clockword chamber, and abottom plate 20, as well as a rear wall or plate 21. The plate 21 isapertured as indicated at 22, to receive the tongue 23 of the cover 15which tongue is apertured to receive the bolt 24. The latter member alsoserves as the core of a sole- 2o comprehends the use of means forpreventing noid 25, the core being provided with a spring access to thecontrols of the alarm clock, said means including locking mechanismassociated with the alarm releasing mechanism so that the controlscannot be reached during the period when the alarm should normally beoperative, i. e., for about one hour after the time set for the alarm.

The foregoing objects are cited as illustrative of the scope of theimprovements comprehendecl in the present invention, but it is to beunderstood that it is not intended to be limited thereto, 'except assuch limitations are clearly imposed .by the appended claims.

In the drawings like numerals refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views, of which Fig. l is a schematic view of an alarm systemshowing the circuit connections and operative parts of an alarm clockand a bed post upon which is mounted a switch mechanism, the alarm bellbeing included in the circuit;

Fig. 2 is a side perspective of the clock shown in Fig. 1 the rearportion being broken away to show the details of the locking mechanism;

Fig. 3 Yis a detail view of a modification of the circuit shown in Fig.1, showingmeans for directly operating the striker of an alarm clock;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the striker control support shown inFig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the back of a clock showing means fordirectly attaching same to a bed post, together with a modied coverlocking arrangement; and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the use of a mechanicalcontrol system for the alarm and cover locking mechanism.

26 adapted to normally urge or force the bolt out of the aperture inmember 23, and thus permit the cover to be raised and lowered. Suitableleads 27, 26, are provided for the coil and they will be described morein detail hereinafter. An electric bell 29 is mounted in the casing asshown and is in turn provided with leads 30, 31.

'I'he alarm system of the clock mechanism may comprise a spring motor 40provided with a wind- \ing key 4l, the motor shaft 42 being providedwith a gear 43 in mesh with a gear 44 on shaft 45, the two said shaftsbeing mounted in the frame supports 46, 47, of the clock. On the shaft45 is mounted a gear 48 adapted toA mesh with a striker mechanism 49mounted on shaft 50. 'I'here is also mounted on the shaft 50 an arm 51provided withfa dog or tooth 52 at the free end thereof, the said member52 being adapted to be engaged by a. detent 53 carried on the end of thespring arm 54, which is secured at one end by a suitable securing means,including a screw 55. Intermediate its length the spring arm 54 isadapted to contacty with a bushing 55 secured to the gear wheel 56forming a part of the alarm control gear train. 'I'he gear 56 is in meshwith the main driving mechanism of the clock, not shown, and is adaptedto be driven in the usual manner. On the opposite side of the bushing 55there is provided a ybushing 57 having a notched section 58. The notchedsection 58 is so congured as to have a perpendicular side and a slantingside for a purpose to be described more in detail hereinafter.

The alarm control mechanism comprises a disk 60 having an integral toothor projection 61, the said disk being mounted for rotation on thecontrol shaft 62 having a control handle or knob 63. Said shaft issupported or carried by the plates 46, 47, previously described. Thetooth 61 may be set at any angular position desired by means of thecontrol member 63, the angular position thereof determining the hourwhen the alarm is to function. When the gear 56 has rotated to the pointwhere the straight side of the notch 58 passes it, the gear and itsassociated parts will be forced outwardly by the spring member 54. Thisoutward movement of the spring will carry the detent 53 beyond the upperportion of the catch 52, releasing the latter and permitting the strikermechanism 49 to be operated by the gear train motivated by the springmotor 40. The striker mechanism will continue to function while themember 61 rests in the notch 58, which is usually more than long enoughto permit the motor to expend itself. Upon the continuance of its travelthe sloping section of the notch 58 tends to ride up on the cog or tooth61 thus forcing the gear 56 and associated mechanism in Wardly towardsthe clockwork frame, thus forcing the spring member 54 backward untilthe detent 53 again engages the stop member 52. This position is usuallyreached at the top of the sloping section of the notch 58 and when themember 61 rides on the top or forward portion of the collar 57 the alarmmechanism is in the arrested or off position. I

A novel feature of the present invention resides in an improved switchmechanism associated with this alarm control mechanism. As aboveindicated the spring member 54 is secured to the mounting plate 46 bymeans of a screw 55. 'I'he latter is adapted to engage a spacer post 70suitably disposed between the mounting plates 46, 47.

4'I'he switch mechanism comprising contacts '11, 72, is mounted on thescrew 55, suitable insulating bushings or posts 73, '74, being providedto space the same from each other and from the clockwork support. Themember 73 will serve as a retaining member for the spring 54. A washer75 insulates the screw 55 from the jack or switch members. The tongue 71of the switch member is adapted to bear on the gear 56 and to be urgedinto contact with the switch member or tongue 72 when the spring 54urges the gear 56 outwardly at the time the notched portion 58 passesthe tooth 61`of the alarm control. When the gear 56 has been forced backinto the normal running position the contact 71 follows it and breakscontact with the member 12.

'Ihese contactmembers are provided with leads 76, '17, passingrespectively to a pair of secondary terminals on the transformer 18, thelatter being provided with the usual line leads 76, 77. The transformeris provided with a further secondary winding having a lead 27 connectedto the main lead '76, and a lead 28, the latter being directly connectedto the coil 25 of the detent mechanism controlling the bolt 24. Upon theclosing of the switch members 71, 72, the coil 25 is energized forcingthe bolt 24 into the latch member 23 against the action of the spring26, which normally keeps the bolt out of contact with the latch. It willthus be seen that when the alarm is actuated, the cover is closed andmaintained closed for the period during which the member 61 remains inengagement with the notch 58 of the collar 5'1 on the alarm gear.

As intimated hereinbefore, the invention comprehends the use of acontrol mechanism associated with the bed and adapted to be actuated bythe weight of a person resting in said bed. Referring more particularlyto Fig. 1, there is y shown at the right thereof a bedpost having aspring 81 therein, which spring is adapted to work against a piston 82.'Ihe latter member is provided at its bottom portion with the usualcaster mechanism 83. including a roller 84. The member 80 is providednear its bottom with a flange 85 adapted to serve as a stop for thecasing 86, of the switch mechanism, vthe latter being screw-threaded toengage the screw threaded bottom portion of the post 80. A nut 88 isprovided to maintain the casing 86 in position. The member 86 ispreferably made of a suitable insulating material such as a moldedphenolic condensation product or it may be made of wood, hard rubber orother suitable materials.

Mounted on the casing is a clip jaw 90 of a switch, designated generallyby the numeral 9i, the member'j 910 being secured to the casing bysuitable meanssuch as a screw 92 which is adapted to act as a terminalmember. A terminal member 93 is likewise provided on the casing 1w andis connected to the cooperating switch member 94 through a flexible lead95. The switch member or tongue 94 is mounted on an insulating support96 which in turn is positioned and secured on the piston 82 by means ofspacing 105 bushings or washers 97, 98, the latter being preferablyscrewed on the threaded bottom portion of the piston. In order` tomaintain this switch mechanism dust-free, a flange 99 is secured to thebottom of the member 83 and is so configured 11e and arranged as toengage the inner walls of member 86 in sliding contact.

While the casing 86 has been described as being made of a suitablestructural insulating material, the invention comprehends the use of anydesired metal, such as steel, iron, brass, etc., the terminals beingsuitably insulated therefrom in any lmown manner.

It will now be appreciated that upon the imposition of any weight on thebed member 80, comprising preferably one leg oi' said bed, will becarried downwardly against the action of the spring 81 and in thisdownward movement will carry the casing 86 and the switch member 90, thelatter being forced into engagement with the cooperating switch member94, thus closing the circuit in the legs 100, 101, of the circuitthrough irzl transformer, the clock switch and the alarm It will also beseen that when the alarm goes on', while a person is yet in bed, thedetent coil 25 will be energized and the cover locked in position; thecircuit through the bed post switch 91 and bell will be completedthrough the clock switch and the transformer, thus causing the bell tobe operated.

Upon the release of the weight from the bed, caused by a person rising,the jaws of switch 91 will be forced apart and the bell circuit broken.However, the detent circuit will still be in opera tion, due to theclosure of the clock switch, which is maintained during the period thealarm control cog 61 rests in the notch 58 of the alarm gear. Thisperiod being roughly one hour, although, of course, it may be arrangedfor any predetermined period by suitably configuring the notch so thedetent will be energized for such a period, and it will be impossiblefor a person to open the cover and disconnect the alarm mechanism.Further, if during this period a person 1,957,399 y returns to bed theswitch 91 will be again closed and the bell 29 again set in operation.It will thus be appreciated that the system Just described is adaptedfor use with ordinary alarm clocks containing an alarm mechanism. Whilethe latter has been disclosed as comprising a part of a spring woundmotor driven clock, it will be appreciated that it is likewiseapplicable to an electrically driven clock without any change in thestructure of the latter, or of the switch mechanism just described.

Where it is desired to use a mechanically operated alarm bell, such asis normally furnished and made part of an alarm clock, the improvementsof the present invention may be incorporated with such mechanismwithoutkk involving any disturbance or mutilation of the several parts.Referring more particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, the modification thereindisclosed for controlling the alarm of striker mechanism comprises asupporting platform 110 of bakelite, wood, brass or any suitablestructural material upon which is mounted a coil, 111, the latter beingconnected to the operating circuit by means of the usual leads 30, 3l.This coil mechanism thus replaces the bell mechanism 29, and is adaptedto be normally urged against the striker lever 49 by means of a suitablespring 113, the coil and spring being suitably mounted on the platform'or support 110. When the alarm switch is operated the coil 111 isenergized and the plunger 112 retracted, thus permitting the striker tooscillate and ring the alarm bell. Upon opening the circuit either atthe alarm switch or at the switch 91 the coil is de-energized and theplunger forced into contact with the striker bar by means of th spring113, thus rendering the striker inoperative.

This striker control mechanism may be readily applied to the ordinaryalarm clock and associated with the switch members 71, 72, and theirassociated parts in the following manner. The bushing 73 is attached inthe manner above disclosed and there is superposed thereon a support orplatform 114 which is secured to the member 73 by suitable means such asscrews or rivets 115. The support 114 may be provided with a strap 116,this strap being suitably fastened or secured to the clockwork plate 47.The coil support 110 is mounted on the cross piece 114, in any suitablemanner as by means of screws or rivets, 117. It will thus be seen thatby the provision of the cross piece 114 supported on the members 46, 47,and the bushing 73. the coil 111 and its support 110 may be suitablypositioned with respect to the striker mechanism and at the same timemaintained out of contact with the clockwork and further withoutinvolving any further space requirements. In other words, the coil 111may be associated with the clock mechanism without increasing the sizeof the space necessary for the latter.

Referring now to Fig. 5 there is shown an improved means for mounting aclock mechanism directly on a bed. The locking cover of the clock 120 ispermanently associated with the switch casing 86 in any suitable manner.The cover or casing is provided with inturned peripheral flanges 121having apertures 122 adapted to receive locking arms 123 and hold thelatter in position in apertures 124, formed in the shoulder rim 125 ofthe casing member 14. The locking rods 123 are pivoted respectively atthe ends 126, 127,

of the rocker arm 128 which is mounted in the yoke 129 formed on thewall 13 of the clock. The

rocker arm is provided with a depending arm 130 connected to the plungerarm 24 of the solenoid 25. It will thus be seen that when the coil isdeenergized the spring 26 will draw the arm 24 inwardly causing therocker arm 128 to rotate about its pivot and withdraw the locking rods123 from the aligned apertures 122, 124, in the casing and the cover.When the coil is energized the plunger is forced downwardly and therocker arm is rotated or oscillated in the reverse direction forcing thelocking arms 123 in the aligned apertures in the casing and cover andlocking the two parts together. The general operation of this clockis-the same as those above described, as by this means one cannot removethe clock from its support and cover 120 until after the expiration ofthe predetermined period of time, so that it is impossible to tamperwith the alarm control mechanism. f

Referring now to Fig. 6 there is shown a mechanical adaptation of theimprovements of the present invention, in which a suitable alarm clockis removably mounted directly on a bed post 80, the back plate 134 ofthe clock being rigidly attached thereto by means of a support bracket133. The bracket is clamped between a collar 131, which is either formedas an integral part of the post casting or threaded thereon and collar132 adapted to be screwed on the lower portion of the post against thesupport 133. In the post is embedded a spring, not shown, which isadapted to work against the piston 135, so that when the bed is occupiedthe post 80 and the clock case afiixed thereto will move downward.

An arm 136 extends from a peripheral flange 83 formed at the bottom ofthe piston 135, and passes through an aperture 144 in the plate 134. Thearm 136 is connected to a vertically positioned rod 137 which issupported by guide members 138, 138 and attached at its upper end to amember 140. A triangular support 139 pivotally supports the member 140,the outermost end of which rests between the bi-furcated ends of a dog141. The dog is pivotally attached to a support 143 which in turn isafiixed to the frame support 47 thus providing for its upward movementand consequent disengagement from the cog wheel 48 when the bed post andattached clock case is pressed downwardly.

It` will be noted that when the dog 141 is in this position the alarmwill ring at the predetermined time and will continue to ring as long asthe bed is occupied, that is to say, as long as the post 80 is pressedto its downward position. However, when the bed becomes unoccupied andthe post, because of the spring working against the piston, movesupwardly, carrying with it the clock case, the dog 141 will consequentlybe moved downwardly, engaging the gear wheel 48 and locking the strikermechanism.

The mechanical modification also comprehends the automatic case lockingfeature. When the alarm sounds, as hereinbefore described, the disk 56moves outwardly and carrys with it the rod member 145, which issupported by the guide members 146, 146 attached to the frame supports46 and 47. The rod 145 is formed at one end with a bifurcated member 151adapted to engage the disk 56 while its other end is pivotally attachedto an angle arm 147.

The angle arm is pivotally mounted on a triangular support 148 firmlyattached to the back plate 13 of the clock case. To the other end of theangle arm 147 is pivotally attached a plunger rod 149 which is adaptedto be moved upwardly through an aperture 150 in the clock case when thebifurcate 151 is carried forward by the disk 56, thereby locking theback plate 134 to the clock case.

It will be also noted that since the disk 56 remains forward for aperiod of time determined by the design of the cam 58 as shown in Fig. 1in the bushing 57, the case will remain locked not only during thesounding of the alarm but until the disk is moved backward by thenotched portion of the bushing 57 riding away from the tooth 61, alsoshown in Fig. 1, which time, depending upon the size of the notch, mayadvantageously be at least one hour.

In order to lock the plate 134 securely to the bottom of the Aclockcase, there is provided a tongue or projection 152 formed on the clockcase extension. The tongue is adapted to engage with a recess or slot153 formed in the plate 134.

Referring to Fig. '7, there is shown a clock mounted in the operativeposition upon a bed post. It will be seen that sufficient clearance isprovided for the downward movement of the clock when the spacing 81,shown in Figure 1 is compressed and the clock is in its lowermost 1position.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of myinvention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself tothe precise details of construction herein set forth, by way ofillustrations, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may bemade therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from thespirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. In a clock having an alarm control mechanism, and means for adjustingthe same to operate at predetermined times, an enclosing member for saidadjusting means, a lock for said enclos- ,ing member, a signal, meansactuated by said alarm control mechanism for operating said signal andsaid lock, and other means operatively connected with said signal forarresting the operation of the same without affecting the actuation ofthe alarm control mechanism.

2. In a clock having an alarm control mechanism, and means for adjustingthe same to operate at predetermined times, an enclosing member for saidadjusting means, a lock for said enclosing member, a signal, meansactuated by said alarm control mechanism for operating said signal andsaid lock, and weight actuated means operatively connected with saidsignal for arresting the operation of the same without aiecting theactuation of the' alarm control mechanism.

3. In a clock having an alarm control mechanism which operates for apredetermined period of time, and means for adjusting the same tooperate at any desired instant, an enclosing member for said adjustingmeans, a lock for said enclosing member, a signal, means actuated bysaid alarm control mechanism for operating said signal and said lock,said lock being in locking position during the operation of said alarmcontrol mechanism, and other means operatively connected with saidsignal for arresting the operation of the same without aiecting theactuation o! the alarm control mechanism.

4. In a clock having an alarm control mechanism with means'for adjustingthe same to operate at predetermined times, an enclosing member for saidadjusting means, a lock for said enclosing member, a signal. electricalmeans operated by said alarm control mechanism for actuating said signaland said lock, and other electrical means operatively connected withsaid signal for arresting the operation of the same without affectingthe actuation of the alarm control mechanism.

5, In a clock having an alarm mechanism which operates for apredetermined period of time, and means for adjusting the alarm controlmechanism to operate at any desired instant, an enclosing member'forsaid adjusting means, a lock for said enclosQng member, a signal,electrical means actuated by said alarm control mech'- anism foroperating said signal and said lock, said lock being maintained inlocking position during the operation of said alarm control mechanlsm,and other electrical means operatively connected with said signal forarresting the operation of the same without aiIecting the actuation ofthe alarm control mechanism.

6. In an alarm clock having an alarm control mechanism which operatesfor a predetermined time period, and means for adjusting the alarmcontrol mechanism to operate at any desired instant, an enclosing memberfor said adjusting means, a lock for said enclosing member, andelectrically operated means actuated by said alarm control mechanism forpositioning and maintaining said lock in locking position during theoperation of the alarm control mechanism.

JOHN E. COOGAN.

